MINI USA Announces JCW GP Pricing

Here’s the news many of us have been waiting to see for over six months. MINI USA has announced final specifications and pricing on the JCW GP. The US market will get 415 GPs each priced at $30,600 (not including $550 destination). So that means $31,150 (w/$550 destination charge) is the answer we were looking for in yesterday’s post. Certainly lower than most seemed to expect (based on yesterday’s post) and much lower than the $40k price tag that a few had speculated. We have the official press release, official US-spec GP specifications, full GP gallery and video below:

MINI USA announces the North American Debut of the 2006 MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit (GP) at the New York International Auto Show.

This limited-production, sport tuned model comes exclusively in a two-seat configuration and offers a level of performance that makes it the most powerful MINI available from the factory. The ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“GPÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ produces 214 horsepower and is approximately 100 pounds lighter than the standard MINI Cooper S model, allowing it to achieve a top speed of 150 mph.

The two letters ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œGPÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â in the name of this unique model stand for ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œGrand PrixÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â, paying tribute to MINIÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s motor sport pedigree ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬” a pedigree not only demonstrated by the Classic MiniÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s Monte Carlo rally wins in the 60s, but by MINIÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s competitive successes today, including road racing, auto cross, rally sport and even drag racing.

The MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit will be limited to a production run of exactly 2,000 units worldwide. The US market will receive an exclusively limited number of only 415 of these cars which go on sale this fall with a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price of $31,150 including a $550 destination charge.

Under the bonnet, the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit features additional modifications to the intercooler, the supercharger and the electronic engine management system. With these modifications this model now boasts a 46 horsepower increase in engine power over that of a standard Copper S model, producing 214 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque at 4600 RPM. The low restriction twin-pipe sport exhaust, adds an impressively throaty sound, underscoring the enhanced sport-tuning of the engine.

The performance-enhanced power plant in the new MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit offers even more on-road performance with acceleration times of 6.5 seconds from 0 to 62 mph. To transfer this extra power to the road, the car comes standard with a limited-slip differential, enhancing traction under acceleration. This feature not only helps to optimize traction on slippery roads, but also during spirited driving. DSC Dynamic Stability Control adds a further level of active safety on the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit.

An essential feature of the John Cooper Works GP Kit is its sport suspension and sport brakes with components carefully matched to the greater power of the engine. Even firmer springs and stronger dampers enhance the outstanding agility of the car while larger sport brakes with special composition pads add greater stopping power.

The new MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit stands out with an exclusive Aerodynamics Package with deeper, more contoured front and rear air dams and side sills. The roof spoiler with its racing wing profile is a prominent feature at the rear of the roof line.

The MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit also features an exclusive metallic paint scheme in Thunder Blue with the roof finished in Pure Silver. Adding exclusivity to this limited-production model, each MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP kit is sequentially numbered with a distinctive roof graphic just over the side door. The surrounds on the air scoops along the engine compartment lid and in the front air dam are also finished in Pure Silver. The exterior mirrors come in an attractive contrasting Chili Red. And white side direction indicators come standard.

The purist interior of the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit exudes more than just a ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œtouchÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â of motor sport. The rear seat bench was removed to help reduce the weight of the car, and is now a flat loading area. For even greater convenience, the floor can be folded up in a Z-arrangement for easy access to two additional storage boxes. An aluminum finished cargo brace bar behind the front seats helps to keep cargo secure.

The sport interior is fitted with driver and passenger sports seats that come in an exclusive GP cloth/leather upholstery combination and a special three-spoke leather sports steering wheel. The dashboard again underlines the sporting character of the car with a center mounted speedometer and the tachometer mounted on the steering column. Both displays come in Anthracite, with red needles ensuring excellent clarity and readability.

Additional weight saving measures included replacing the conventional rear control arms with ones made from aluminum. This along with modifications the body and omission of some of the sound-deadening material come together to help reduce the overall weight of the car by approximately 100 pounds compared to a MINI comparably equipped Cooper S.

now i’m super glad to be #2. the mc40 i loved just bit the dust. -see pics & story-. And the price makes me soooooooo happy to see. Can they deliver NOW?

LTZMTOR

GMINI…yo be 1 lucky boy! Can I get the rims?

HBAlameda

As an official two-seater, one can drive this vehicle with one other passenger in Bay Area HOV-3 carpool lanes that otherwise require three occupants. Very practical. At least that’s what one can argue to one’s spouse….

I think that goes with your “$600k for a 3-bedroom condo market adjustment.” 🙂

saakey

Hmmm, not bad…Now I wonder if i could get a back seat back in there? Otherwise the wife won’t go for it if i can’t get my 3 yr old in it. =)

IanF

Do I read correctly that the GP includes the JCW Sport Suspension?

All things considered, when compared to a similarly equiped MCS (Checkmate pkg/CWP/JCW/MFSW/Aero kit/JCW Susp) the GP is a smokin’ good deal at about $5k less (don’t forget Aero kit paint and susp. install). Even ignoring the rarity of the car.

Hmm…

Jim Harris

It will be interesting to read the road tests comparing it to the STI and EVO, which cost about the same money and which seat four. This is what limited MINI’s price leverage.

With a different appearance package it could have been a nice car. I’m trying to like it, but it’s just so homely. Who designed this thing? Where was management, which is usually so good?

RHT3

Great pricing! Very cool car!

Still, what technological LEAP of mankind does it take to get the Euro-only Recaros? MINI sport seats are terrible.

Lou A.

$31,150!! ahhhh…now I can sleep tight until delivery.

Teresa

With only 415 being available in the US I bet dealers will mark them way way up over MSRP. Remember MSRP is only Manufacturer’s “Suggested” Retail Price ; )

WxSquid

In Va Beach, VA, there will be no markup. Then again, 3 of the 5 are already taken…

My 06 DS/B MCS is up for sale… 🙂

kelly

Gabe,

do you know if rear seat delete will become a bto option?

fs-mini

That price really pulling back a lot of people who might not like it in the beginning. If you spec a new MCS with JCW upgrade and stuffs, you now may well spec a GP instead, if you don’t need the rear seats.

fs-mini

BTW, I know somebody may have asked, and have always been asked this same question … anyone thinks some dealers can get the GP parts sold separately? 😉

will a/c still be an option? cuz if i were to get one down here in TX w/out ac 🙁

tony T

“You will need to have a GP VIN before you can have a parts department order any GP replacement parts (like the M3 CSL).”

they used to say that about the works, but now anyone can order Works bits….. no vin needed.

mataku527

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œYou will need to have a GP VIN before you can have a parts department order any GP replacement parts (like the M3 CSL).ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â
they used to say that about the works, but now anyone can order Works bitsÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦.. no vin needed.

How would that have even worked? JCW is was not factory for a long time, so it’s not really linked to the VIN like the GP will be. Maybe GP owners can further subsidize the cost by selling GP parts to those who want them. 😉

It’s true, I put my deposit down this week. Since I am on record saying that if the price came in below 32K I would order one… I had to put my $$$ where my mouth is. I am very excited and shockingly so is my wife!

Now the trick is to see how I can work a deal where I get to keep my beloved 2003 MCS in addition to the GP. Did I mention those Motoringfile designed magnetic badges over at toddsmods.com are ultra cool and everyone should have five or six of them. : )

Charlie

Gabe,
What happened to “Part B” of the GP Buying Experience? Wasn’t there supposed to be an announcement today about what GP buyers would get when purchasing the car?
CHarlie